How the hell the norte chico civilization came to be so densely populated in fucking south america, of all places?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norte_Chico_civilization
>Norte Chico sites are notable for exceptional collective density, as well as individual size. Haas argues that the density of sites in such a small area is globally unique for a nascent civilization. During the third millennium BC, Norte Chico may have been the most densely populated area of the world (excepting, possibly, northern China).[11]
How the fuck they even existed in the first place, when they were in such a desolate place?
>>1230333
Well, just continuing that wiki link:
>The region is punctuated by more than 50 rivers that carry Andean snowmelt. The development of widespread irrigation from these water sources is seen as decisive in the emergence of Norte Chico;[13][14] since all of the monumental architecture at various sites has been found close to irrigation channels.
River valleys often contain large population centers, and if the natural geography has a lot of rivers and thus easy irrigation, you get a lot of food growth and consequently a dense population.
![Lima%20Potato%20Jug[1].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/6WmsBNj.jpg "Lima%20Potato%20Jug[1].jpg")
>>1230356
this
as well as the wonderful, magical vegetable that we today call the potato
>>1230356
Oh thanks, that sounds plausible.
But if it is that way, shouldn't a lot of places in the ancient world have had as much or more people?
>>1230384
The norte chico civilization didn't cultivated potatoes.
>yfw they had no staple cereal
>>1230333
Whaling played a large factor, as I understand it.
>>1230939
Fishing and whaling, I mean
